Method of operating electric batteries.



I P A. EMANUEL. METHOD OF OPERATING ELECTRIC BATTERIES.

Patented July 11, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I APPLICATION FILED DEC.6. HHS.

P A. EMANUEL.

Patented July 11, 19115.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

METHOD OF OPERATING ELECTRIC BATTERIES. APPLICATION FHED uma. "9:5. 1,190.878.

I 1 Z ll ll l// III /I l v F. A EMANUEL. METHOD OF OPERATING ELECTRIC BATTERIES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-6.1915.

Patented July 11, 1916.

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PHILIP a. muuunn, or nun, scorn CAROLINA. mnrnon or ornan'rmo snncrmciae'rrnnms;

Original application filed November 5, 1915, Serial no;

- e, 1915. Sefln11o. 85 ,3 2 9.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP A. EMANUEL,

a :citizen of the United States, residing at Aiken, in the county of Aiken and State .of

South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods-of ments in methods of operating electric batwater which is formed at 5 which the-above objections will not In the accompanying teries, and the subject-matter. of the present application constitutes a division of my 00- pending application Serial No. 59838, filed November 5, 1915, and entitled Improvements in electric batteries; reference being hadherein to my prior Patent No. 615,539, granted December 6,- 189,8,-. and entitled Electric battery. "I f- Among a number of objects, which will. readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, the present invention proposes to battery or cell which Wlllprovide an electric yield a substantially 'constant current without that rapidly diminishing intensity cominon to present types of batteries.

The invention further aims to remove the zinc sulfate or other salt periodically as the same is formed, and which has been found objectionable'as congesting the cell and in-" terfering with the action therein; the zinc sulfate or other salt being carried off by the positive plate by union ofthe freed hydrogen with the oxygen of a depolarizer, and which maintains the positive plate clear; said action of the cell reducing the local action-set up by impurities in the zinc electrode. M

It is the purpose and intention of my pres ent invention to provide an improved cell in v prevail, and which shall be capable of. regeneration after the electrolyte has become converted .andthe negative electrodeconsiderably de-- composed. I

drawings forming a part of this application, and in whichsimi-r lar reference symbols indicatecorresponding' parts in the several views :v Figure 1 1s a side elevational view of an improved electric battery constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan 7 Specification of Letters Patent. Patented .2 designate re zinc. The positive a divided ring "16' the external view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse [tional view taken on the line 3-3 in .Fig.,5,

' July- 11, 1916. 59,838. Divided and thil' application filed December l cal sectional view of a slightly modified form in the inverted position for regeneration.

Referring more particularly to the device of the invention; and Fig. 7 is a similar view shown, in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, 1 and I ectively, thev positive and. negative electro es,- thematerialsne'cessary to constitute a voltaic couple, and for purposes of description the same will be referred to as copper and a relatively thin disk which is platini'z'ed and separated from thevnegative electrode Q'bya porousdisk 3. The negative electrode 2 and v porous disk 3- are simi mg elements in my. prior patent above,.the electrode being traversed by a central duct'e, i

ar to the. correspondalinement with a perforation inthe posiwhich may be of any ofelectrode 1 is preferably .tive electrode 1; and the porous'disk 3 is formed with heads 5 and 6 on its upper and flower faces," which are glazed orotherwise treatedto prevent the passage of the elec trolyte through the porous disk at this point. The electrodes'l and 2, together with the porous disk 3, are 7, which is advantageously of gutta-percha,

fitted in a Jar or container or other suitable insulating material. "While the container 7 may be of any shape found deslrable or necessary, the same is preferably of the cylindrical form shown in the drawings, with the enlarged bore at either end threaded to receive inclosing heads 8' and 9. The inclosing heads 8 and 9 are flush with the ends of the container 7, and

are confined in place and the device bound together by metallic-cap plates 10 and 11' embracin the ends of "the container, and forum withciollarsl-Q and 13 surrounding flanges 14 and1'5'on' the heads and 9. ;j The container 7 is'encircled centr'allyby provided with trunnions fitted i'nhearings on the upper ends of standards or supports 17. and 18 on a base 19, for mounting the battery to swinigl to inverted position as hereinafter more lly described. r

The positive electrode 1 is connected in circuit by a tubular pole-piece 20, passing through the head 8 and flange 14, and insulated from the adjacent cap plate 10. Similarly, the negative electrode 2 is connected in the external circuit-by means of a tubular poleiece 21 pa 'ng through the opposite 'headta andfflang which insulate the same from the cap plate 11. The pole-pieces 20 and 21 are provided with flanges for engagement by similar flanges on valve casings 22 and 23, thesame being connected in turn to pairs of receptacles 2-1, 25 and 26, 27. The upper receptacles or vessels 24 and 25 are connected together through a valve casing 28,'and the upper vessel 25 is provided with a similar valve casing 29 for controlling admission of fluid thereto, as will be presently explained. Valve casings 30 and 31 are similarly arranged in connection with the vessels 26 and 27 mounted at the lower end of the battery. Leads 32 and 33 are secured to binding posts associated with the fianges'of the pole-pieces, and are connected to provide an external circuit in a well known manner.

In the operation of the improved battery as above described, the container 7 is in the upright position illustrated in Fig. 4, the vessel 21 having been previously charged with an electrolyte of any suitable character, for instance, dilute sulfuric acid, and the remaining receptacles 25, 26 and 27, with a depolarizer, such as gaseous oxygen, nitric acid, or depolarizer which will not chemically combine with sulfuric acid under ordinary temperatures. The depolarizer in the vessel 25 is under pressure, while that in the vessels 26 and 27 is not necessarily so. It will be understood that the electrolyte may be introduced into the vessel 24 by opening bot-h valves 28 and 29 and pouring the same in through the vessel 25; the valve 22, leading to the battery, being, of course, closed. After the electrolyte has been thus introduced, the valve 28 is closed, and oxygen under pressure is admitted through the valve 29 into the receptacle 25, whereupon said valve is closed. In a similar manner the vessels 26 and 27 on the lower end of the battery, may be charged with a depolarizer by manipulation of. the valves 30 and 31, and it will be remembered that the depolarize'r in these receptacles need not be under pressure. To start the battery into operation, referring now still to Fig. 4, of the drawings, the valve 22 is opened to the required degree to permit the electrolyte from the vessel 24 to descend through the tubular pole-piece 20 and into-contact with the upper glazed bead 6 on the porous disk 3, which intercepts its passage and diverts the same into contact with the lower face of the platinized positive electrode 1. Simultaneous with this action, the gaseous oxygen, or other depolarizer in the receptacle 25, is admitted to the lower vessel 24: by opening the valve 28, and such depolarlzer, which is under pressure, operates to force the electrolyte down into the battery and into active contact with the electrodes. The depolarizer thus becomes mixed throughout the electrolyte and provides for a forced circulation thereof throughout the battery, placing said electrolyte under pressure, and thereby insuring improved galvanic action, productive of increased voltage. It will be understood, by reference more particularly to my above'mentioncd prior patent, that the electrolyte passes through the porous disk 3 from the under face of the electrode 1, and down into contact with the upper face of the negative electrode 2. The zinc sulfate, or other salt, produced by the electrolytic action in the cell accumulates about the negative electrode, and has been found to seriously interfere with the progress of the action; while the hydrogen evolved seeks the positive plate and collects, with the consequent disadvantages of polarization. The hydrogen collected about the positive plate I is, how ever, removed, together with its attendant disadvantages, by the depolarizer, which unites with the same to "Form water; and this water floods'the cell and carries of? the zinc sulfate or other salt which tends to accumulate about the negative electrode and clog the'battery. The zinc sulfate or salt in solution is thus renu' ved through the channel 4 in the negative electrode 3, and descends therethrongh under the inlluencc of gravity and the pressure imposrail by the depolarizer in the vessel 25, throu' h the tubular pole-piece 21. past the val: 2'3, which is subsequently opened for this purpose, and into the receptacle 151.3 WllHIll contains a depolarizer, as above stated. The entrance of the salt solution to the tank 26 displaces the depolarizer and Ramses the same to ascend into the cell, where it assists the action of the depolarizcr from the vessel 25. If desired, the valve Ell) may also be opened, and the zinc sulfate which is of relatively great specific gravity, may duscend directly into the lowermost vessel 27,

and displace the depolarizer thercfrmn and from the vessel 26, as just described. The zinc sulfate will. therefore, be collected in the vessel 27 and the dcpolarizer gradually expelled therethrough and compelled to onter the cell above, contributing its assistance to remove the hydrogen collected about the positive plate 1.

The above is substantially the ope-ration 0f the improved cell, and this action is con tinued until the electrolyte has become exhausted from the vessel 24. and has become decomposed in the cell into the salt and wa ter and removed to the receptacle 27. To rcgenerate the cell, the container or jar 7 carrying the various parts therewith is revolved on the trunnions in the supports 17 and 18 to bring the same to the inverted position disclosed in Fig. 5. When in this position, the valve 30 is opened to permit the zinc sulfate or other salt in solution to descend into the vessel 26', the valve 23 being initially closed. Thereupon the tank 27 is charged with hydrogen under pressure through the valve 31; and the tanks 24 and 25 are also supplied through their respective valves with hydrogen which may be under pressure, but which is not necessarily so. After the vessels have been so charged, and the leads 32 and 33 connected with a source of current, the valves 23 and 30 are opened and the salt permitted to descend through the pole-piece 21 into the battery, the same being driven before the compressed hydrogen in the receptacle 27 which thereby becomes mixed therein. The valves 22 and 28 are also opened, either immediately or only after the decomposition of the salt has been going on for some time, and the hydrogen in the vessels 24 and 25 permitted to ascend through the tubular pole-piece 20 and into contact with the porous disk 3 and positive plate 1 within the cell. As the zinc sulfate or other salt is circulated between the electrodes, the current introduced through the leads 32 and 33 will decompose the same, the zinc being disassociated from the SC), radical and becoming plated on the negative electrode 2. The radical will seek the positive plate 1, and will be there united with the hydrogen from the vessel 27 and also with that from the receptacles24 and This latter format-hm will restore the sulfuric acid which will descend through the tubulaipole-piece 20 and into the receptacles 2t and 25, automatically displacing the hydrogen therein and causing it to ascend and assist in the. further recovery of the acid. hen the regenerating operation has been completed, the cell is again revolved about its supporting members 17 and '18, and

brought to the initial upright position illustrated in Fig. 4. Here the recovered acid is transferred from the receptacle 25, where the same has been collected, to the receptacle 24, and the vessels 25, 26 and 27 are again charged with oxygen or other depolarizer in readiness for the subsequent operation of the battery. It will, of course, be understood that additional electrolyte will be added from time to time to replenish the amount lost in operation, and as it becomes necessary, the electrodes 1 and 2 can be renewed by reinoving'the heads 8 or 9 of the container 7 in an obvious manner. I

R ferring now more particularly to Figs. (3 .and 7 I have here disclosed an improved construction and arrangement of the electrodes and container, the latter consisting of a gutta-percha cylinder 34 threaded at its ends;- to; receiveinclosing heads 35 and 36. Within the casin 34 is"sniiglycfitted acupshaped positive e ectrode 37 inclosed atone end by'a cap 38, and containing the negative electrode 39. fitted within a porous cup 40, which separates sa'idelectrodes. The negative'electrode 39 is inclosed in the porous -cup to by a disk 41 of insulating material,

having a neck 42 extending through the cap 38 and head 35 for insulating the negative pole-piece 43 contained therein. The negabe well understood. The positive electrode 37 is connected at one end of the battery by a tubular pole-piece 46, and said pole-pieces 46 and 43 are connected by leads 32' and 33 for connection to include any appliance in circuit upon which it may be desired to furnish electricity from the battery; or said leads may connect with, a source of current i when the battery is to be regenerated. The positive pole-piece 46 is connected to a valve.

casing 22, which is in turn connected to a receptacle 24:, the latter during the operation" of the battery, as shown in 6, :being adapted to contain an electrolyte such, for instance, as dilute sulfuric acid. Tothe opposite end of the receptacle 24 is a valve casing 28, similar to 22.above described,

and at the opposite end of said valve casin is connected a receptacle 25 provided wit i a valve 29. The receptacle 25' is adapted as gaseous oxygen under pressurefiira new ner similar to that described in connection with the receptacle 25 in that forriiol?the .105 to contain a depolarizer, such, for instance,

casing 23', coupled at its opposite end to a receptacle 26. necting the receptacle 26' receptacle 27 and 31 is a valve controlling admission to the receptacle 27. The re- 30' is a valve casing con.

with a similar ceptacles 26 and 27' are arranged ,to receive i a depolarizer such, for instance, as gaseous oxygen, andthis' depolarizer may be con tained insuchreceptacles under pressure or not, as may be desirable.

In t aaaeiigasaaiag to Fig. a; a ikeceptacle 24 I electrolyte and the several remaining receptacles with a depolarizer, the valves 22' and having been charged with the 28 are thergipon opened to permit the dey polarizer to descend through the pole-piece 46 and into the battery, where it encounters the porous cup 40 and is deflected thereby alongand into intimate contact with the inby gravity, aided by the depolarizer under the posit ve electrode and radical, S0,,

which will be collected on the negative elecpressure in the receptacle 25", and will be circulated throughout the cell and will undergo electrolytic action under pressure, decomposing into hydrogen which will seek trode; such electrolytic action generating a felt.

current which may be taken off through the leads 32 and-33'. The hydrogen collected at the positive plate and tending to polarize same, will be met by the oxygen from the receptacle 25', and the same will unite to form water which will relieve the positive plate of such polarization. This action is permitted to continue until a decrease in the intensity of the current in the external circuit is felt, when the valve 23', or both said valve and the valve 30', may be opened to permit the water and congested salt in the cell to be removed through the ducts 44, 45,

and through the negative pole-piece 43 into the receptacles 26' and 27, where said water and salt will displace the depolarizer therein, causing the same to ascend into the cell where it will assist the depolarizer from the tank 25'. After the pressure within the cell has been thus, to someextent, relieved, and the accumulated matter remomd, the depolarizer from the tank 24' will be again free to circulate throughout the battery, and it will be found that the external circuit will immediately pick up; and if desired, the valve 23 may be then closed untilthe weakening of the external circuit is again This action is continued with until the electrolyte and depolarizer have become exhausted, when the device will be revolved from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 7, and the operation of regeneration accomplished.

For regenerating the battery receptacle 9.6 is charged with salt, such as zinc sulfate formed during the operation of the battery,

when in the position shown in Fig. 6, and the remaining receptacles 27 2% and 25 are charged with gaseous hydrogen, that in the receptacle 2'? being preferably-under pressure. The leads 32" and 33 are connected to an external source of current, and the valve 23 opened to permit the salt. to descend through the pole-piece 42, ducts 44 and 45, and into the space between the electrodes. This action will be assisted by the hydrogen under pressure by opening the valve 30, and the salt will become decomposed, due to the passage of the electric current, the zinc becoming plated on the outer faces of the negative electrode 39, while radical SO will seek the positive electrode 37, where it will combine with the hydrogen from the receptacle 27 forming sulfuric acid. From time to time the valve 22 may be opened and the pressure slightly relieved from the cell, permitting the sulfuric acid to descend within the receptacles 24: and 25, thus displacing the hydrogen therein, which will be compelled to ascend within the cell and add its assistance to that of the hydrogen from the receptacle 27. This action is continued until the salt is exhausted from the receptacle 26, and the device may be revolved about its support to the position shown in Fig. 6 and the recovered acid collected in the receptacle 24, and after charging the several other receptacles with oxygen'the operation of the battery may be subsequently carried on.

By the improved arrangement shown in these last-named figures of the drawings, an increased surface area. is exposed between the positive and negative electrodes, and a better action is insured, productive of improved results. It will be appreciated that, in addition to the voltage produced by the chemical dissociation of the electrolyte, a reduction in counter electro-motive force is secured by the combination of the depolarizer with the free hydrogen at the positive plate.

. It will be understood that, .while I have described the steps and processes of the improved method of operating an electric battery, and have shown and described the constructional embodiments for carrying out the invention, I do not wish to be limited to any specific form of the same except as 2. The herein described method of operating a battery, which consists in supplying an electrolyte to the battery which is decomposed into a salt and hydrogen, circulating the electrolyte through the battery by a depolarizer under pressure, and removing the salt from the battery by the water formed by the freed hydrogen and depolarizer, substantially as described.

3. The herein described method of operating an electric battery, which consists in' supplying an electrolyte to an incloscd battery which is decomposed to form a salt and hydrogen, mixing a depolarizer under pres sure in said electrolyte for placing the battery under pressure and causing the electrolyte to be brought into intimate contact with the battery electrodes, and Withdrawing from time to time the congested salt formed in the battery by the water formed by the freed hydrogen and depolarizer, substantially as described.

4. The herein described method of operating an electric battery, which consists in supplying an electrolyte to the battery, circulating the electrolyte through the battery by a depolarizer under pressure, and supplying an additional depolarizer from a separate source,substantially as described.-

5. The herein described method/ of operating an electric battery, which consistsin supplying an electrolyte to the battery through the positive electrode, circulating the electrolyte through the battery by means of a depolarizer under pressure, and supplying an additional depolarizer from a separate/source through thenegative electrode substantially as described.

6. The herein described method of operating an electric battery, which consists in supplying an electrolyte to the battery the electrolyte through the battery by means of a depolarizer under pressure, periodically .removing the pressure from the battery and permitting the salt to be removed by the water formed from the union of the depolarizer with the freed hydrogen, and supplying to the battery an additional depolarizer at atmospheric pressure by a displacement by means of the removed salt, substantially as described.

, 8. The method as herein described of operating an electric battery, which consists in introducing an electrolyte within an inclosed batterythrough the positive electrode thereof, mixing a depolarizer under pressure in said electrolyte for imposing a pressure on the battery and bringing the electolyte into intimate contact with the battey electrodes, periodically relieving the pressure from said battery through the negative electrode, removing the salt formed by the elec' trolytic action in the battery through the negative electrode and by means of the water formed by the freed hydrogen and depolarizer, leading said water and removed salt to an additional source of depolarizer and displacing the same therefromwhereby to compel the same to enter the battery through the 7 negative electrode and circulate there through in opposition to the direction to the passage of the electrolyte, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I 'aflix my signature.

PHILIP A. EMANUEL. 

